State’s newly-transformed workforce development system helps individuals succeed, businesses thrive and Illinois’ economy flourish
FORSYTH, IL – Gov. Blagojevich today announced Illinois residents and businesses can access free career planning, training and job placement services through the state’s newly-transformed workforce development system called Illinois workNet. Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Jack Lavin was joined by Decatur Public Schools Superintendent Gloria Davis and Decatur Mayor Paul Osborne to showcase Illinois workNet’s expanded capabilities at an event held today at the Education and Training Center in the Hickory Point Mall, an Illinois workNet location in Forsyth. The event was attended by community, business and civic leaders.
“Every person deserves the opportunity to earn a decent living and Illinois workNet is one of the ways my administration is working to accomplish this goal,” said Gov. Blagojevich. “By providing individuals with access to good paying jobs and other valuable career planning resources, and employers with valuable workforce development tools, we’re investing in our workforce and helping to ensure the Illinois economy can continue to flourish.”
Illinois workNet is a cooperative effort among economic development, workforce development and education agencies, local workforce investment boards and their public and private partners. The new system now integrates physical locations with online resources available through the Illinois workNet portal (www.illinoisworknet.com), which can be accessed at homes, offices and onsite at approximately 360 community partners statewide.
A statewide re-branding effort is also underway to ensure that all Illinois workNet locations, including those housed at community partner sites, are easily identifiable.
“Illinois workNet represents one of the many ways Governor Blagojevich and the State of Illinois are working to help develop, maintain and support a strong, skilled, well-trained workforce,” said Jack Lavin, director, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. “We are proud to partner in the expansion of Illinois workNet through partnerships with community-based organizations and city and state agencies. These partnerships are essential to ensuring that all Illinois citizens and businesses can access the comprehensive, free workforce support services available through Illinois workNet.”
Illinois workNet allows individuals to search for jobs that match their interests and skills, as well as find education and training programs. Illinois workNet also provides assistance with resume writing and interview preparation. In addition, job seekers can obtain wage and salary data, labor market trends, health insurance overviews, and information about unemployment compensation, money management, child care and other supportive services.
“The City of Decatur is proud to host Illinois workNet community partner locations,” said Paul Osborne, City of Decatur Mayor. “Comprehensive programs like Illinois workNet are vital resources to connect our community’s qualified workers with Central Illinois businesses, helping the state compete in today’s global market.”
Illinois workNet also offers businesses access to high quality applicants, training and valuable management resources. Under the new system, each Illinois workNet Center and community partner employs at least one certified Illinois workNet advisor knowledgeable about the federal and state workforce system. Employers also will find tools to recruit qualified employees, information about training to upgrade the skills of their current employees and a wide range of resources to help Illinois businesses remain competitive.
Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) is one of the largest agricultural processors in the world and serves as a vital link between farmers and consumers, by taking crops and processing them to make food and animal feed ingredients, renewable fuels and naturally derived alternatives to industrial chemicals. Headquartered in Decatur, ADM employs approximately 6,500 Illinois residents. “Producing and maintaining a prepared workforce is an ongoing challenge,” said Kathie Whitley, vice president of employee and labor relations, Archer Daniels Midland Company. “Illinois workNet has served as a vital link for us to connect our company with qualified workers who can help us expand and succeed in the global marketplace.”
“Decatur Public Schools is proud to work closely with the Education and Training Center in Hickory Point Mall to provide community members access to the tools they need to successfully find jobs,” said Gloria J. Davis, superintendent, Decatur Public Schools. “As educators we work hard to prepare students for long-term professional success, by giving them the tools they need to succeed in school. As our students continue their education and prepare to enter the workforce, comprehensive workforce programs, such as Illinois workNet, provide job seekers with the tools they need to succeed in finding a job that matches their skills.”
Illinois workNet is an initiative of the Illinois Workforce Investment Board and is sponsored by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). It is made possible through partnerships with community-based organizations and state agencies, including the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) and others.